Arizona Republican Legislators Advance Three Bills that they Had Passed in 2013 but then Repealed After Referendum Petition was Filed

Posted on by March 23, 2015
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In 2013, Republicans in the Arizona legislature passed an omnibus election law bill, HB 2305, that injured voting rights for minor parties, and for Democrats as well.  The Arizona Democratic Party and its allies, especially unions, then mustered the strength to complete a referendum petition against HB 2305.  When the referendum petition succeeded, the Republican majority then repealed their own bill, so that the referendum against the bill was canceled.

This year, Republican legislators are advancing three bills that contained provisions from HB 2305.  This blog has already noted HB 2608, which makes it more difficult for minor party candidates to get on their own party’s primary ballot.  In addition, the Senate has passed SB 1340, which requires individuals who drop off more than 10 absentee ballots at the polls to show a government photo-ID which is then posted on a state web page.  And the House has passed HB 2407, which makes it more difficult for initiatives and referenda to get on the ballot.  See this story.

Vermont Omnibus Election Bill Amended to Delete Provision Making it Harder for Parties to Nominate

Posted on by March 18, 2015
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On March 18, the Vermont omnibus election law bill was amended to delete a provision that would have made it more difficult for parties to nominate candidates.  The original bill abolished the ability of a party that has its own primary to nominate someone by party meeting after the primary, in case no one had won that party’s primary for that office.  But the amended bill no longer has that provision.  The Vermont Progressive Party worked to bring about this outcome.  The bill is HB 477.

Alabama Ballot Access Bill Passes First Committee

Posted on by March 18, 2015
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On March 18, the Alabama Senate Constitution, Ethics & Elections Committee passed SB 221, the bill that eases ballot access for newly-qualifying parties and independent candidates.  The vote was 4-2.  The only Democrat who was present, Linda Coleman, voted for the bill.  Five Republican Senators were present, and three of them voted for the bill.  The two Republicans who voted against the bill were Chairman Bill Hightower and Phil Williams.  The bill now goes to the Senate Rules Committee.

Ballot access bills have passed this committee in the past.  In 2013, SB 265 passed its first committee on April 4, but it didn’t advance any further.  In 2011, SB 17 passed this committee on March 8, but then it was blocked in the Senate Rules Committee.  Thanks to Joshua Cassity for this news and for the rollcall vote, set out in his comment.

Level the Playing Field, Organization Working for More Inclusive Presidential Debates, Receives Substantial Publicity

Posted on by March 18, 2015
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Level the Playing Field is the group that asked the Federal Election Commission late last year to require the Commission on Presidential Debates to expand entry into the general election presidential debates.  Level the Playing Field has been working hard to garner publicity and to get endorsements from influential individuals.  The Associated Press article is here, and here is a different article in The Hill.